Thousands show Anzac spirit

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick said it could be time to consider whether Rotorua needs two official Anzac Day services in the coming years.

She said the time and cost of putting on both the dawn service at Ohinemutu and the civic service later in the morning would be discussed by the council's World War I committee.

It was estimated about 4000 people attended the dawn service while about 2500 people went to the Energy Events Centre for the Rotorua Civic Memorial Service which began at 9.30am on Saturday.

"People seem to love the dawn service and a lot of them didn't go on to the later service.

"We will have a closer look at the civic service next year. We need an indoor service and will look hard into the future about whether we can sustain the two of them."

Mrs Chadwick said she was astounded by the numbers of people who went to the dawn service but also said many people, especially the older generations, enjoyed the indoor service as well.

Australian Army representative in Rotorua for Saturday's Anzac commemorations, Colonel Scott Gills, said the city's Anzac services were unique and he was honoured to be involved.

"It was exceptional, unlike anything I had seen before.

"I think the hymns at the dawn service sung by the kids were incredibly moving as well and the kids who spoke at the civic service. If that's the future of New Zealand you blokes have nothing to worry about whatsoever.

"We have a unique relationship [with New Zealand] and share the same values forged in the same place at the same time ... it's significant and will happen for a long time into the future," Colonel Gills said.

Rotorua RSA president William McDonald said he was very pleased with the turnout. "It's always a very humbling occasion and it's wonderful to see so many young people remembering our veterans," he said. This year saw one of the largest crowds at the sacred site on the shores of Lake Rotorua. The crowd, standing shoulder to shoulder, spread right back past the wharenui of Tamatekapua.

Guest speaker for the dawn ceremony was Rotorua's Major Pita (Peter) Anaru, retired.

"Before the first world war we were an untried and insular people, after Anzac we were tried and trusted.

"After Anzac we proved that come what may New Zealanders would not be found wanting and would prove irresistible in attack and stubborn in defence - what more could you ask of a soldier."